When cells are encapsulated within a homogeneous gel matrix and given the right soluble cues, such as growth-factor proteins added to the culture medium, they can start to multiply and migrate ...

The authors attribute this effect to the longer PEG molecules entangling with mucin fibres in the gel network. Additionally, when the density of PEG coverage on the particle surface was lowered by ...

They introduced fluorescent PEG-BB molecules into the cells from two directions. They then used a dye to penetrate the mucus and periciliary layers—the latter being the gel engulfing the cilia.